Aspen, Colorado – November 14, 2011–The City of Aspen and Pitkin County are celebrating 20 years of their shared Geographic Information System (GIS) Department this month. In 1991 the first maps of Aspen and Pitkin County were made using GIS technology.

“GIS is more than mapping, it allows the County and City to understand, interpret and visualize spatial data in many ways that show relationships, patterns and trends in the form of maps, reports and charts and can be used in decision making,” said Mary Lackner, Director of the GIS Department.

The data created over the last 20 years has produced thousands of maps, which allow citizens and elected officials to see things like property ownership, aerial photography, addresses, street centerlines, planning districts, elevation/topography, special districts, parks, open space, trails, water features, administrative boundaries, and more.

GIS creates custom maps and can search layers of data for specific information. Its services are provided to government entities as well as citizens, visitors and businesses.

In celebration of the past two decades of accomplishments, the GIS Department is hosting a GIS Day and 20th Anniversary party on November 17, 2012 from 10am-2pm at the Rio Grande Place Meeting Room.

The Department will have software demonstrations, a map gallery, and a slideshow highlighting different uses of GIS. These activities will allow citizens to:

· See how property ownership and zoning maps have progressed over the last 20 years

· Gain knowledge of where aerial photos have been captured in the County since 1991

· See where contours are available within the County

· Talk to GIS staff about maps, data and services and what is planned for the future

· Discover how 3D GIS is being used for visibility analysis including perspectives, viewsheds, and line-of-sight analysis.

· Get one-on-one assistance using GISMO, our free web mapping service

· Test-drive and provide feedback on the updated GISMO site, at http:// http://205.170.51.230/CityBase/

· Learn about Aspen’s new CORS GPS Base Station

· Learn how GIS is being used to find official records geographically

· And much more….

In addition, the GIS Department is in the process of updating its web mapping services and would appreciate your feedback on the new Aspen Area Demonstration Site, which can be found here and a survey about it can be found here.

GIS Day is held during Geography Awareness Week which The National Geographic Society has sponsored since 1987 to promote geographic literacy in schools, communities and organizations. More information about the City of Aspen and Pitkin County GIS Department can be found at www.aspenpitkin.com/gis.